Primers and probes for detecting human papillomavirus and human beta globin sequences in test samples

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to primers, probes, primer sets, primer and probe sets, methods and kits for detecting human papillomaviruses, human beta globin sequences and human papillomaviruses and human beta globin sequences in a test sample.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/241,119,filed on Sep. 30, 2008, the entire contents of which are fullyincorporated herein by reference.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The instant application contains a Sequence Listing which has beensubmitted in ASCII format via EFS-Web and is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety. Said ASCII copy, created on Jun. 18, 2015, isnamed 2015_06_19_9628USC1-SEQ-LIST.txt, and is 5,087 bytes in size.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to primers, probes, primer sets, primerand probe sets, methods and kits for detecting human papillomaviruses,human beta globin sequences and human papillomaviruses and human betaglobin sequences in a test sample.

BACKGROUND

Papillomaviruses are DNA viruses that infect the skin and mucousmembranes of humans and animals. Approximately 130 types of humanpapillomaviruses (HPV) have been identified, of which between 30-40types are transmitted through sexual contact and infect the anogenitalregion. Some of these HPV types cause genital warts, while others do notcause any noticeable signs of infection. At least 14 HPV types have beenassociated with a high risk for cervical cancer, namely types 16, 18,31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 and 68. Detection of thesehigh risk types of HPV is important in the prevention of cervicalcancer.

The genome of all HPV types is similarly organized. A number of early(E) and late (L) proteins are specifically encoded. E1 and E2 proteinsare required for DNA replication. E4 and E5 proteins are required forreplication of the viral genome in the upper layers of the epithelium.E6 and E7 proteins are oncogenic and cooperate to immortalize cells andto induce genomic instability. L1 and L2 proteins form the viral capsidand are expressed late in infection in the upper layers of theepithelium. Another part of the genome, namely the long-control-region(LCR), contains most of the regulatory DNA sequences needed for properreplication of the viral genome and expression of the viral genes.

A variety of methods for detecting high risk types of HPV have beendevised. Many rely on the detection of unique sequences in the HPVgenome. For example, DNA or RNA probes complementary to a portion of thegenes of HPV type 35, have been described, such as in U.S. Pat. No.4,849,332, as useful in screening for the presence of this type of HPVin test samples. Additional probe sequences useful for detectingoncogenic HPV types are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,265,154. U.S. Pat.No. 5,705,627 teaches the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) toamplify and detect HPV DNA using degenerate or mixed consensus primers,followed by typing using a mixture of genotype-specific DNA probes.Other examples of using consensus primers can be found in U.S. Pat. No.5,364,758 and Kleter, B. et al., Am. J. of Pathology, 1998,153(6):1731-39. Moreover, many of the methods known in the art alsoinvolve detecting human beta globin sequences in test samples.

As illustrated above, a variety of methods for detecting high risk typesof HPV are known in the art. Despite such methods, there exists a needin the art for new methods that: (1) are capable of detecting multipleHPV genotypes in a single reaction while at the same timedifferentiating the detection of certain specific genotypes from others(e.g., partial genotyping); (2) do not exhibit any cross-reactivitybetween HPV types; (3) provide a robust clinical sensitivity andspecificity; and (4) provide high throughput and efficient workflow.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a primer foramplifying human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45,51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 and 68 in a test sample. The primer has asequence selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ IDNO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:5 and complements thereof.

In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a probe fordetecting HPV types 16, 18, 31, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 58, 59 or 66 in atest sample. The probe has a sequence selected from the group consistingof: SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:13,SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:19,SEQ ID NO:20 and complements thereof.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a primer foramplifying a human beta globin sequence in a test sample. The primer hasa sequence of SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, a complement of SEQ ID NO:6, acomplement of SEQ ID NO:7 or any combinations thereof.

In still yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to aprobe for detecting a human beta globin sequence in a test sample. Theprobe has a sequence of SEQ ID NO:22 or a complement thereof.

In still yet a further embodiment, the present invention relates to aprimer set for amplifying HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52,56, 58, 59, 66 and 68 in a test sample. The primer set comprises thefollowing:

-   -   (a) at least one forward primer having a sequence selected from        the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3,        complements thereof and any combinations thereof; and    -   (b) at least one reverse primer having a sequence selected from        the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:5, complements        thereof and any combinations thereof.

Specifically, the above described primer set can comprise forwardprimers having the sequence of: SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:3or complements thereof. The above primer set can comprise reverseprimers having the sequence of: SEQ ID NO:4 and SEQ ID NO:5 orcomplements thereof. Alternatively, the primer set can comprise forwardprimers having the sequence of: SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:3or complements thereof and reverse primers having the sequence of: SEQID NO:4 and SEQ ID NO:5 or complements thereof.

In still yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to aprimer and probe set for detecting HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45,51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 and 68 in a test sample. The primer and probe setcomprises:

-   -   (a) three forward primers having a sequence of: SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ        ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:3 or complements thereof and two reverse        primers having a sequence of: SEQ ID NO:4 and SEQ ID NO:5 or        complements thereof; and    -   (b) fourteen probes having a sequence of: SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID        NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:13,        SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID        NO:18, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:20 and SEQ ID NO:21 or        complements thereof.

In yet a further embodiment, the present invention relates to a primerand probe set for detecting human beta globin in a test sample. Theprimer and probe set comprises:

-   -   (a) a forward primer having a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6 or a        complement thereof and a reverse primer having a sequence of SEQ        ID NO:7 or a complement thereof; and    -   (b) a probe having a sequence of SEQ ID NO:22 or a complement        thereof.

In still yet a further embodiment, the present invention relates to amethod for detecting one or more of HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39,45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 and 68 in a test sample. The methodcomprising the steps of:

-   -   (a) contacting the test sample with three forward primers having        a sequence of: SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:3 or        complements thereof and two reverse primers having a sequence        of: SEQ ID NO:4 and SEQ ID NO:5 or complements thereof under        amplification conditions to generate a first target sequence;        and    -   (b) detecting hybridization between the first target sequence        and at least one probe as an indication of the presence of one        or more of HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58,        59, 66 and 68 in the test sample, wherein the probe has a        sequence of: SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID        NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:15,        SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID        NO:20 and SEQ ID NO:21 or complements thereof.

In the above described method, the amplification conditions comprisesubmitting the test sample to an amplification reaction carried out inthe presence of suitable amplification reagents. Additionally, theamplification reaction can comprise using PCR, real-time PCR (such as,but not limited to, a Taq-Man® assay) or reverse-Transcriptase PCR(RT-PCR).

In the above described method, at least one probe is labeled with adetectable label. As is known in the art, the detectable label can bedirectly attached to at least one probe. Alternatively, the detectablelabel can be indirectly attached to at least one probe. Moreover, thedetectable label can be directly detectable. Alternatively, thedetectable label can be indirectly detectable. For example, thedetectable label can comprise a fluorescent moiety attached at the 5′end of at least one probe. Moreover, at least one probe can furthercomprise a quencher moiety attached at its 3′ end.

In addition, the above described method can further comprise the stepsof:

-   -   (a) contacting the test sample with a forward primer having a        sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6 or a complement thereof and a reverse        primer having a sequence of SEQ ID NO:7 or a complement thereof        under amplification conditions to generate a second target        sequence; and    -   (b) detecting hybridization between the second target sequence        and the probe having a sequence of SEQ ID NO:22 or a complement        thereof as an indication of the presence of a human beta globin        in the test sample.

In still yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to amethod for detecting and/or differentiating HPV types 16, 18 or both HPVtypes 16 and 18 in a test sample. The method comprises the steps of:

-   -   (a) contacting the test sample with three forward primers having        a sequence of: SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:3 or        complements thereof and two reverse primers having a sequence        of: SEQ ID NO:4 and SEQ ID NO:5 or complements thereof under        amplification conditions to generate a first target sequence;        and    -   (b) detecting hybridization between the first target sequence        and the following:        -   (i) a first probe having a sequence of SEQ ID NO:8 or a            complement thereof as an indication of the presence of HPV            type 16, wherein said first probe is labeled with a first            detectable label;        -   (ii) a second probe having a sequence of SEQ ID NO:9 or a            complement thereof as an indication of the presence of HPV            type 18, wherein said second probe is labeled with a second            detectable label, and further wherein the second detectable            label is a different detectable label than the first            detectable label;        -   (iii) one or more additional probes having a sequence of:            SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ            ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:16,e SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID            NO:18, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:20 and SEQ ID NO:21 or            complements thereof as an indication of the presence of HPV            types 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 or 68,            wherein each of the one or more additional probes is labeled            with an identical third detectable label and further wherein            said third detectable label is a different detectable label            than the first detectable label and the second detectable            label.

In the above described method the amplification conditions comprisesubmitting the test sample to an amplification reaction carried out inthe presence of suitable amplification reagents. Additionally, theamplification reaction can comprise using PCR, real-time PCR (such as,but not limited to, a Taq-Man® assay) or RT-PCR.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method fordetecting human beta globin in a test sample. The method comprises thesteps of:

-   -   (a) contacting the test sample with a forward primer having a        sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6 or a complement thereof and a reverse        primer having a sequence of SEQ ID NO:7 or a complement thereof        under amplification conditions to generate a first target        sequence; and    -   (b) detecting hybridization between the first target sequence        and the probe having a sequence of SEQ ID NO:22 or a complement        thereof as an indication of the presence of a human beta globin        in the test sample.

In the above described method the amplification conditions comprisesubmitting the test sample to an amplification reaction carried out inthe presence of suitable amplification reagents. Additionally, theamplification reaction can comprise using PCR, real-time PCR (such as,but not limited to, a Taq-Man® assay) or RT-PCR.

In the above described method, at least one probe is labeled with adetectable label. The detectable label can be directly attached to atleast one probe. Alternatively, the detectable label can be indirectlyattached to at least one probe. Moreover, the detectable label can bedirectly detectable. Alternatively, the detectable label can beindirectly detectable. For example, the detectable label can comprise afluorescent moiety attached at the 5′ end of at least one probe.Moreover, at least one probe can further comprise a quencher moietyattached at its 3′ end.

In addition, the above described method can further comprise the stepsof:

-   -   (a) contacting the test sample with three forward primers having        a sequence of: SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:3 or        complements thereof and two reverse primers having a sequence        of: SEQ ID NO:4 and SEQ ID NO:5 or complements thereof under        amplification conditions to generate a second target sequence;        and    -   (b) detecting hybridization between the second target sequence        and at least one probe having a sequence of: SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID        NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:13,        SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID        NO:18, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:20 and SEQ ID NO:21 or complement        thereof as an indication of the presence of one or more of HPV        types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 and 68        in the test sample.

In still another aspect, the present invention relates to a kit fordetecting HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66and 68 in a test sample. The kit comprises:

-   -   (a) at least one forward primer having a sequence selected from        the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3,        complements thereof and any combinations thereof;    -   (b) at least one reverse primer having a sequence selected from        the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:5, complements        thereof and any combinations thereof; and    -   (c) amplification reagents.

The above described kit can also further comprise at least one probe,wherein at least one probe is selected from the group consisting of: SEQID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ IDNO:13, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ IDNO:18, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:20 and SEQ ID NO:21 or complementsthereof.

The above described kit further comprises probes having the sequence of:SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ IDNO:18, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:20 and SEQ ID NO:21 or complementsthereof.

In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a primer andprobe kit for detecting HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52,56, 58, 59, 66 and 68 in a test sample. The kit comprises:

-   -   (a) three forward primers having a sequence of: SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ        ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:3 or complements thereof and two reverse        primers having a sequence of: SEQ ID NO:4 and SEQ ID NO:5 or        complements thereof;    -   (b) fourteen probes having a sequence of: SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID        NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:13,        SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID        NO:18, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:20 and SEQ ID NO:21 or        complements thereof; and    -   (c) amplification reagents.

The above kit can further comprise a forward primer having a sequence ofSEQ ID NO:6 or a complement thereof and a reverse primer having asequence of SEQ ID NO:7 or a complement thereof and a probe having asequence of SEQ ID NO:22 or a complement thereof for detecting humanbeta globin in the test sample.

In still yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a primerand probe kit for detecting human beta globin in a test sample. The kitcomprises:

-   -   (a) a forward primer having a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6 or a        complement thereof and a reverse primer having a sequence of SEQ        ID NO:7 or a complement thereof;    -   (b) a probe having a sequence of SEQ ID NO:22 or a complement        thereof; and    -   (c) amplification reagents.

The above kit can further comprise:

-   -   (d) three forward primers having a sequence of: SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ        ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:3 or complements thereof and two reverse        primers having a sequence of: SEQ ID NO:4 and SEQ ID NO:5 or        complements thereof; and    -   (e) fourteen probes having a sequence of: SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID        NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:13,        SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID        NO:18, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:20 and SEQ ID NO:21 or        complements thereof, for detecting HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35,        39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 and 68 in the test sample.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows the correlation between beta globin signal and the amountof cells spiked from a cultured HPV positive cell line and thedistribution of the beta globin cycle number for a population of 1206patient cervical specimens as described in Example 4.

FIG. 2 shows the distribution of the beta globin cycle number for apopulation of 1206 patient cervical specimens as described in Example 4.Quantiles for the correlation described above in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A-3D shows a comparison of the analytical performance of a primermix comprising SEQ ID NOS:1-5 to the GP5+ and GP6+ primers (SEQ IDNOS:23-24) as described in Example 5.

FIGS. 4A-4E shows a comparison of the analytical performance of a probesof the present invention specific for HPV types 16, 18, 31, 52 and 59(SEQ ID NOS:8-10, 16 and 19) to the probe sequences for the same HPVtypes disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,265,154B1 as described in Example 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to primers, probes, primer sets and primerand probe sets that can be used to amplify and/or detect HPV types 16,18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 and 68 in a test sample.The present invention also relates to methods of detecting HPV types 16,18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 and 68 in test samplesusing the primer and probe sets described herein. Additionally, thepresent invention also relates to primers, probes and primer and probesets that can be used to amplify and/or detect human beta globinsequences in a test sample. The primers and probe used to amplify and/ordetect human beta globin in a test sample can be used to generateinternal control amplicons in an HPV assay. Additionally, the presentinvention also relates to methods of detecting human beta globinsequences in test samples using the primer and probe sets describedherein. The present invention also relates to kits for detecting HPVtypes 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 and 68 and/orhuman beta globin sequences in a test sample.

The primer and probe sets of the present invention achieve robustclinical sensitivity and specificity. Additionally, the primer and probesets described herein do not exhibit any cross-reactivity between HPVtypes. Moreover, the primer and probe sets of the present invention arecapable of detecting multiple HPV genotypes in a single reaction whileat the same time differentiating the detection of certain genotypes fromothers (e.g., partial genotyping). Finally, the primer and probe sets ofthe present invention provide high throughput and efficient workflow.

A. Definitions

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include pluralreferents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For therecitation of numeric ranges herein, each intervening number therebetween with the same degree of precision is explicitly contemplated.For example, for the range 6-9, the numbers 7 and 8 are contemplated inaddition to 6 and 9, and for the range 6.0-7.0, the numbers 6.0, 6.1,6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9 and 7.0 are explicitlycontemplated.

a) Amplicon

As used herein, the term “amplicon” refers to a product of a natural orartificial amplification reaction. An example of an amplicon is a DNA orRNA product (usually a segment of a gene, DNA or RNA) produced as aresult of PCR, real-time PCR, RT-PCR, competitive RT-PCR, ligase chainreaction (LCR), gap LCR, strand displacement amplification (SDA),nucleic acid sequence based amplification (NASBA),transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) or the like.

b) Amplification, Amplification Method or Amplification Reaction

As used herein, the phrases “amplification”, “amplification method” or“amplification reaction” as referred to interchangeably herein, refer toa method or process that increases the representation of a population ofspecific nucleic acid (all types of DNA or RNA) sequences (such as atarget sequence or a target nucleic acid) in a test sample. Example ofamplification methods that can be used in the present invention include,but are not limited to, PCR, real-time PCR, RT-PCR, competitive RT-PCR,LCR, gap LCR, SDA, NASBA, TMA and the like, all of which are known toone skilled in the art.

c) Amplification Conditions

As used herein, the phrase “amplification conditions” refers toconditions that promote annealing and/or extension of primer sequences.Such conditions are well-known in the art and depend on theamplification method selected. For example, PCR amplification conditionsgenerally comprise thermal cycling, e.g., cycling of the reactionmixture between two or more temperatures. In isothermal amplificationreactions, amplification occurs without thermal cycling although aninitial temperature increase may be required to initiate the reaction.Amplification conditions encompass all reaction conditions including,but not limited to, temperature and temperature cycling, buffer, salt,ionic strength, pH, and the like.

d) Amplification Reagents

As used herein, the phrase “amplification reagents” refers to reagentsused in amplification reactions and may include, but are not limited to,buffers, reagents, enzymes having reverse transcriptase and/orpolymerase activity or exonuclease activity; enzyme cofactors such asmagnesium or manganese; salts; and deoxynucleotide triphosphates (dNTPs)such as deoxyadenosine triphosphate (dATP), deoxyguanosine triphosphate(dGTP), deoxycytidine triphosphate (dCTP), deoxythymidine triphosphate(dTTP) and deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP). Amplification reagents mayreadily be selected by one skilled in the art depending on theamplification method employed.

e) Directly Detectable and Indirectly Detectable

As used herein, the phrase, “directly detectable”, when used inreference to a detectable label or detectable moiety, means that thedetectable label or detectable moiety does not require further reactionor manipulation to be detectable. For example, a fluorescent moiety isdirectly detectable by fluorescence spectroscopy methods. In contrast,the phrase “indirectly detectable”, when used herein in reference to adetectable label or detectable moiety, means that the detectable labelor detectable moiety becomes detectable after further reaction ormanipulation. For example, a hapten becomes detectable after reactionwith an appropriate antibody attached to a reporter, such as afluorescent dye.

f) Fluorophore, Fluorescent Moiety, Fluorescent Label or Fluorescent Dye

The terms, “fluorophore”, “fluorescent moiety”, “fluorescent label” and“fluorescent dye” are used interchangeably herein and refer to amolecule that absorbs a quantum of electromagnetic radiation at onewavelength, and emits one or more photons at a different, typicallylonger, wavelength in response thereto. Numerous fluorescent dyes of awide variety of structures and characteristics are suitable for use inthe practice of the present invention. Methods and materials are knownfor fluorescently labeling nucleic acid molecules (See, R. P. Haugland,“Molecular Probes: Handbook of Fluorescent Probes and Research Chemicals1992-1994”, 5th Ed., 1994, Molecular Probes, Inc.). Preferably, afluorescent label or moiety absorbs and emits light with high efficiency(e.g., has a high molar absorption coefficient at the excitationwavelength used, and a high fluorescence quantum yield), and isphotostable (e.g., does not undergo significant degradation upon lightexcitation within the time necessary to perform the analysis). Ratherthan being directly detectable themselves, some fluorescent dyestransfer energy to another fluorescent dye in a process calledfluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET), and the second dyeproduces the detected signal. Such FRET fluorescent dye pairs are alsoencompassed by the term “fluorescent moiety”. The use of physicallylinked fluorescent reporter/quencher moiety is also within the scope ofthe present invention. In these aspects, when the fluorescent reporterand quencher moiety are held in close proximity, such as at the ends ofa probe, the quencher moiety prevents detection of a fluorescent signalfrom the reporter moiety. When the two moieties are physically separatedsuch as after cleavage by a DNA polymerase, the fluorescent signal fromthe reporter moiety becomes detectable.

g) Hybridization

As used herein, the term “hybridization” refers to the formation ofcomplexes between nucleic acid sequences which are sufficientlycomplementary to form complexes via Watson-Crick base pairing ornon-canonical base pairing. For example, when a primer “hybridizes” witha target sequence (template), such complexes (or hybrids) aresufficiently stable to serve the priming function required by, e.g., theDNA polymerase, to initiate DNA synthesis. It will be appreciated by oneskilled in the art that hybridizing sequences need not have perfectcomplementarity to provide stable hybrids. In many situations, stablehybrids will form where fewer than about 10% of the bases aremismatches. Accordingly, as used herein, the term “complementary” refersto an oligonucleotide that forms a stable duplex with its complementunder assay conditions, generally where there is about 80%, about 81%,about 82%, about 83%, about 84%, about 85%, about 86%, about 87%, about88%, about 89%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98% or about 99% greaterhomology. Those skilled in the art understand how to estimate and adjustthe stringency of hybridization conditions such that sequences having atleast a desired level of complementarity will stably hybridize, whilethose having lower complementarity will not. Examples of hybridizationconditions and parameters can be found, for example in, Sambrook et al.,“Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual”, 1989, Second Edition, ColdSpring Harbor Press: Plainview, N.Y.; F. M. Ausubel, “Current Protocolsin Molecular Biology”, 1994, John Wiley & Sons: Secaucus, N.J.

h) Labeled or Labeled with a Detectable Label

As used herein, the terms “labeled” and “labeled with a detectable label(or agent or moiety)” are used interchangeably herein and specify thatan entity (e.g., a primer or a probe) can be visualized, for examplefollowing binding to another entity (e.g., an amplification product oramplicon). Preferably, the detectable label is selected such that itgenerates a signal which can be measured and whose intensity is relatedto (e.g., proportional to) the amount of bound entity. A wide variety ofsystems for labelling and/or detecting nucleic acid molecules, such asprimer and probes, are well-known in the art. Labeled nucleic acids canbe prepared by incorporation of, or conjugation to, a label that isdirectly or indirectly detectable by spectroscopic, photochemical,biochemical, immunochemical, electrical, optical, chemical or othermeans. Suitable detectable agents include, but are not limited to,radionuclides, fluorophores, chemiluminescent agents, microparticles,enzymes, colorimetric labels, magnetic labels, haptens, MolecularBeacons, aptamer beacons and the like.

i) Primer

The term “primer” refers to an oligonucleotide which is capable ofacting as a point of initiation of synthesis of a primer extensionproduct that is a complementary strand of nucleic acid (all types of DNAor RNA), when placed under suitable amplification conditions (e.g.,buffer, salt, temperature and pH) in the presence of nucleotides and anagent for nucleic acid polymerization (e.g., a DNA-dependent orRNA-dependent polymerase). The primer can be single-stranded ordouble-stranded. If double-stranded, the primer may first be treated(e.g., denatured) to allow separation of its strands before being usedto prepare extension products. Such a denaturation step is typicallyperformed using heat, but may alternatively be carried out using alkali,followed by neutralization. The primers of the present invention have alength of about 15 to 50 nucleotides in length, preferably from about 20to about 40 nucleotides in length, most preferably, from about 22 to 30nucleotides in length. The primers of the present invention can containadditional nucleotides in addition to those described in more detailherein. For example, primers used in SDA can include a restrictionendonuclease recognition site 5′ to the target binding sequence (See,U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,270,184 and 5,455,166), NASBA, and TMA primers caninclude an RNA polymerase promoter linked to the target binding sequenceof the primer. Methods for linking such specialized sequences to atarget binding sequence for use in a selected amplification reaction arewell known to those skilled in the art. Additionally, in certaininstances, a primer can be labeled with a detectable label.

The phrase “forward primer” refers to a primer that hybridizes (oranneals) with the target sequence (e.g., template strand). The phrase“reverse primer” refers to a primer that hybridizes (or anneals) to thecomplementary strand of the target sequence. The forward primerhybridizes with the target sequence 5′ with respect to the reverseprimer.

j) Primer Set

As used herein, the term “primer set” refers to two or more primerswhich together are capable of priming the amplification of a targetsequence or target nucleic acid of interest (e.g., a target sequencewithin the HPV). In certain embodiments, the term “primer set” refers toa pair of primers including a 5′ (upstream) primer (or forward primer)that hybridizes with the 5′-end of the target sequence or target nucleicacid to be amplified and a 3′ (downstream) primer (or reverse primer)that hybridizes with the complement of the target sequence or targetnucleic acid to be amplified. Such primer sets or primer pairs areparticularly useful in PCR amplification reactions.

k) Probe

As used herein, the term “probe” refers to an oligonucleotide capable ofselectively hybridizing to at least a portion of a target sequence underappropriate amplification conditions (e.g., a portion of a targetsequence that has been amplified). In general, a probe sequence isidentified as being either “complementary” (i.e., complementary to thecoding or sense strand (+)), or “reverse complementary” (i.e.,complementary to the anti-sense strand (−)). The probes of the presentinvention have a length of about 10-50 nucleotides, preferably about12-35 nucleotides and most preferably from 14-25 nucleotides. In certaininstances, a probe can be labeled with a detectable label.

l) Primer and Probe Set

As used herein, the phrase “primer and probe set” refers to acombination comprising two or more primers which together are capable ofpriming the amplification of a target sequence or target nucleic acidand least one probe which can detect the target sequence or targetnucleic acid. The probe generally hybridizes to a strand of anamplification product (or amplicon) to form an amplificationproduct/probe hybrid, which can be detected using routine techniquesknown to those skilled in the art.

m) Target Sequence or Target Nucleic Acid

The phrases “target sequence” and “target nucleic acid” are usedinterchangeably herein and refer to that which the presence or absenceof which is desired to be detected. In the context of the presentinvention, a target sequence preferably includes a nucleic acid sequenceto which one or more primers will complex. The target sequence can alsoinclude a probe-hybridizing region with which a probe will form a stablehybrid under appropriate amplification conditions. As will be recognizedby one of ordinary skill in the art, a target sequence may besingle-stranded or double-stranded. In the context of the presentinvention, target sequences of interest are located within the L1 regionof HPV or the open reading frame of the human beta globin gene.

n) Test Sample

As used herein, the term “test sample” generally refers to a biologicalmaterial being tested for and/or suspected of containing an analyte ofinterest, such as HPV, particularly, HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39,45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 and 68, human beta globin sequences orcombinations thereof. The test sample may be derived from any biologicalsource, such as, a cervical, vaginal or anal swab or brush, or aphysiological fluid including, but not limited to, whole blood, serum,plasma, interstitial fluid, saliva, ocular lens fluid, cerebral spinalfluid, sweat, urine, milk, ascites fluid, mucous, nasal fluid, sputum,synovial fluid, peritoneal fluid, vaginal fluid, menses, amniotic fluid,semen and so forth. The test sample may be used directly as obtainedfrom the biological source or following a pretreatment to modify thecharacter of the sample. For example, such pretreatment may includepreparing plasma from blood, diluting viscous fluids and so forth.Methods of pretreatment may also involve filtration, precipitation,dilution, distillation, mixing, concentration, inactivation ofinterfering components, the addition of reagents, lysing, etc. Moreover,it may also be beneficial to modify a solid test sample to form a liquidmedium or to release the analyte.

B. Primers, Probes and Primer and Probe Sets

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to one or more primersfor amplifying human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39,45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 and 68 in a test sample. The one or moreprimers can include a primer having a sequence comprising or consistingof any of the sequences shown below in Table A, a complement of any ofthe sequences shown below in Table A and any combinations of thesequences shown below in Table A and/or their complements.

TABLE A SEQ ID Type of NO: SEQUENCE Primer 1 tatttgttac tgtggtagat actacForward Primer 2 caattgtttg ttactgttgt  Forward Primer ggatactac 3tttttattac ctgtgttgat actac Forward Primer 4gaaaaataaa ctgtaaatca tattcctc Reverse Primer 5gaaaaataaa ttgcaattca tactcttc Reverse Primer

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a primer set foramplifying HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66and 68 in a test sample containing one or more of the primers describedin Table A. Specifically, the primer set can comprise the following:

-   -   (a) at least one forward primer having a sequence selected from        the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3,        complements thereof (e.g., one or more complements of SEQ ID        NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:3) and any combinations thereof;        and    -   (b) at least one reverse primer having a sequence selected from        the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:5, complements        thereof (e.g., one or more complements of SEQ ID NO:4 or SEQ ID        NO:5) and any combinations thereof.

In another embodiment, the present invention relates to one or moreprobes for detecting HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56,58, 59, 66 and 68 in a test sample. The one or more probes can include aprobe having a sequence comprising or consisting of any of the sequencesshown below in Table B, a complement of any of the sequences shown belowin Table B and any combinations of the sequences shown below in Table Band/or their complements. For example, the one or more probes can beonly a single probe listed below in Table B or only a single complementof one of the probes listed below in Table B (such as for example, (a)SEQ ID NO:8; (b) the complement of SEQ ID NO:10; (c) SEQ ID NO:12; or(d) SEQ ID NO:21), all of the probes listed below in Table B (SEQ IDNOS: 8-21), complements of all the probes listed below in Table B(complements of SEQ ID NOS:8-21) or any combinations of the probeslisted below in Table B and/or the complements of the probes listedbelow in Table B (such as, for example, (a) SEQ ID NO: 10 and SEQ IDNO:16; (b) SEQ ID NO:8, the complement of SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQID NO:15 and SEQ ID NO:21; (c) the complement of SEQ ID NO:8, thecomplement of SEQ ID NO:9 and SEQ ID NO:16; (d) SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ IDNO:17, the complement of SEQ ID NO:18 and the complement of SEQ IDNO:20; (e) SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:9, the complement of SEQ ID NO:12, thecomplement of SEQ ID NO:14 and SEQ ID NO:20); or (f) SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ IDNO:9, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ IDNO:15, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:19 and SEQ ID NO:20).

TABLE B SEQ ID HPV Type NO: SEQUENCE (5′ to 3′) Specificity  8atgtgctgcc atatctactt ca HPV type 16  9 cacagtctcc tgtacctggg caHPV type 18 10 taaaagtagt aattttaaag ag HPV type 31 11atgcacacaa gtaactagt HPV type 33 12 ctgtgtgttc tgctgtgtc HPV type 35 13tccatacctt ctac HPV type 39 14 cctactaagt ttaagcagta ta HPV type 45 15ttagcactgc cactgctgc HPV type 51 16 aaaaaggaaa gcac HPV type 52 17ctacagaaca gttaagtaa HPV type 56 18 atgcactgaa gtaa HPV type 58 19attcctaatg tatacacacc tacc HPV type 59 20 caatcaatac cttcgccatg tgHPV type 66 21 ctttgtctac tactactga HPV type 68

In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a primer andprobe set for detecting HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52,56, 58, 59, 66 and 68 in a test sample containing one or more of theprimers described above in Table A and one or more of the probesdescribed above in Table B. For example, the primer and probe set cancomprise the following:

-   -   (a) at least one forward primer having a sequence of: SEQ ID        NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:3 or complements thereof and at        least one reverse primer having a sequence of: SEQ ID NO:4 and        SEQ ID NO:5 or complements thereof; and    -   (b) at least one probe having a sequence of: SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID        NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:13,        SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID        NO:18, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:20 and SEQ ID NO:21 or a        complement thereof.

Preferably, the primer and probe set comprises:

-   -   (a) three forward primers having a sequence of: SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ        ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:3 or complements thereof and two reverse        primers having a sequence of: SEQ ID NO:4 and SEQ ID NO:5 or        complements thereof; and    -   (b) fourteen probes having a sequence of: SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID        NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:13,        SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID        NO:18, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:20 and SEQ ID NO:21 or        complements thereof.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a primer foramplifying a human beta globin sequence in a test sample. The one ormore primers can be a primer having a sequence comprising or consistingof any of the sequences shown below in Table C, a complement of any ofthe sequences shown below in Table C and any combinations of thesequences shown below in Table C and/or their complements.

TABLE C SEQ ID Type of NO: SEQUENCE Primer 6 ggcaggttgg tatcaaggtt acForward Primer 7 cctaagggtg ggaaaataga cc Reverse Primer

In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a probe fordetecting a human beta globin sequence in a test sample. The probe has asequence comprising or consisting of a sequence of: actgggcatgtggagacaga (SEQ ID NO:22) or its complement thereof.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a primer setfor amplifying endogenous human beta globin in a test sample comprisingat least two primers selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO:6,SEQ ID NO:7, a complement of SEQ ID NO:6 and a complement of SEQ IDNO:7. Preferably, the primer set comprises SEQ ID NO:6 and SEQ ID NO:7.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a primer andprobe set for detecting endogenous human beta globin in a test samplecontaining one or more of the primers described above in Table C or acomplement thereof and a probe having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:22 or acomplement thereof. For example, the primer and probe set can comprise:

-   -   (a) at least one primer having a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ        ID NO:7, a complement of SEQ ID NO:6 or a complement of SEQ ID        NO:7; and    -   (b) a probe having a sequence of SEQ ID NO:22 or a complement        thereof.

Preferably, the primer and probe set comprises:

-   -   (a) a forward primer having a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6 or a        complement thereof and a reverse primer having a sequence of SEQ        ID NO:7 or a complement thereof; and    -   (b) a probe having a sequence of SEQ ID NO:22 or a complement        thereof.

The primers and probe described above for amplifying and detecting humanbeta globin in a test sample can be used to generate internal control(IC) amplicons in an HPV assay. The detection of human beta globin in aHPV assay serves as a sample validity control for cell adequacy, sampleextraction and amplification efficacy. More specifically, this internalcontrol serves to confirm that each test sample has sufficient cellinput for accurate HPV detection and has been processed correctly, andfurther indicates whether inhibitors of amplification are present.

One or more oligonucleotide analogues can be prepared based on theprimers and probes of the present invention. Such analogues may containalternative structures such as peptide nucleic acids or “PNAs” (e.g.,molecules with a peptide-like backbone instead of the phosphate sugarbackbone of naturally occurring nucleic acids) and the like. Thesealternative structures, are also encompassed by the present invention.Similarly, it is understood that the primers and probes of the presentinvention may contain deletions, additions and/or substitutions ofnucleic acid bases, to the extent that such alterations do notnegatively affect the properties of these sequences. In particular, thealterations should not result in a significant decrease of thehybridizing properties of the primers and probes described herein.

The primers and probes of the present invention may be prepared by anyof a variety of methods known in the art (See, for example, Sambrook etal., “Molecular Cloning. A Laboratory Manual”, 1989, 2. Supp. Ed., ColdSpring Harbour Laboratory Press: New York, N.Y.; “PCR Protocols. A Guideto Methods and Applications”, 1990, M. A. Innis (Ed.), Academic Press:New York, N.Y.; P. Tijssen “Hybridization with Nucleic AcidProbes—Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology(Parts I and II)”, 1993, Elsevier Science; “PCR Strategies”, 1995, M. A.Innis (Ed.), Academic Press: New York, N.Y.; and “Short Protocols inMolecular Biology”, 2002, F. M. Ausubel (Ed.), 5. Supp. Ed., John Wiley& Sons: Secaucus, N.J.). For example, primers and probes describedherein may be prepared by chemical synthesis and polymerization based ona template as described, for example, in Narang et al., Meth. Enzymol.,1979, 68: 90-98; Brown et al., Meth. Enzymol., 1979, 68: 109-151 andBelousov et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 1997, 25: 3440-3444).

For example, primers and probes may be prepared using an automated,solid-phase procedure based on the phosphoramidite approach. In such amethod, each nucleotide is individually added to the 5′-end of a growingoligonucleotide chain, which is attached at the 3′-end to a solidsupport. The added nucleotides are in the form of trivalent3′-phosphoramidites that are protected by a dimethoxytriyl (or DMT)group at the 5′ position. After base-induced phosphoramidite coupling,mild oxidation to give a pentavalent phosphotriester intermediate andDMT removal provides a new site for oligonucleotide elongation. Theprimer or probe is then cleaved off the solid support, and thephosphodiester and exocyclic amino groups are deprotected with ammoniumhydroxide. These syntheses may be performed on oligo synthesizers suchas those commercially available from Perkin Elmer/Applied Biosystems,Inc. (Foster City, Calif.), DuPont (Wilmington, Del.) or Milligen(Bedford, Mass.). Alternatively, the primers and probes of the presentinvention can be custom made and ordered from a variety of commercialsources well-known in the art, including, for example, the MidlandCertified Reagent Company (Midland, Tex.), ExpressGen, Inc. (Chicago,Ill.), Operon Technologies, Inc. (Huntsville, Ala.), BioSearchTechnologies, Inc. (Novato, Calif.), and many others.

Purification of the primers and probes of the present invention, wherenecessary or desired, may be carried out by any of a variety of methodswell-known in the art. Purification of primers and probes can beperformed either by native acrylamide gel electrophoresis, byanion-exchange HPLC as described, for example, by Pearson et al., J.Chrom., 1983, 255: 137-149 or by reverse phase HPLC (See, McFarland etal., Nucleic Acids Res., 1979, 7: 1067-1080).

The sequence of the primers and probes can be verified using anysuitable sequencing method known in the art, including, but not limitedto, chemical degradation (See, Maxam et al., Methods of Enzymology,1980, 65: 499-560), matrix-assisted laser desorption ionizationtime-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (See, Pieles et al.,Nucleic Acids Res., 1993, 21: 3191-3196), mass spectrometry following acombination of alkaline phosphatase and exonuclease digestions (Wu etal. Anal. Biochem., 2001, 290: 347-352), and the like.

As already mentioned above, modified primers and probes may be preparedusing any of several means known in the art. Non-limiting examples ofsuch modifications include methylation, “caps”, substitution of one ormore of the naturally occurring nucleotides with an analog, andinternucleotide modifications such as, for example, those with unchargedlinkages (e.g., methyl phosphonates, phosphotriesters,phosphoroamidates, carbamates, etc), or charged linkages (e.g.,phosphorothioates, phosphorodithioates, etc). Primers and probes maycontain one or more additional covalently linked moieties, such as, forexample, proteins (e.g., nucleases, toxins, antibodies, signal peptides,poly-L-lysine, etc), intercalators (e.g., acridine, psoralen, etc),chelators (e.g., to chelate metals, radioactive metals, oxidativemetals, etc), and alkylators. Primers and probes may also be derivatizedby formation of a methyl or ethyl phosphotriester or an alkylphosphoramidate linkage. Furthermore, the primers, probes or primers andprobes of the present invention may also be modified with a detectablelabel.

As alluded to above, in certain embodiments of the present invention,the primers, the probes or both the primers and probes can be labeledwith a detectable label or moiety before being used inamplification/detection methods. Preferably, for use in the methodsdescribed herein, one or more probes is labeled with a detectable labelor moiety. The role of a detectable label is to allow visualization anddetection of amplified target sequences (e.g., amplicons). Preferably,the detectable label is selected such that it generates a signal whichcan be measured and whose intensity is related (e.g., proportional) tothe amount of amplification product in the test sample being analyzed.

The association between one or more probes and detectable label can becovalent or non-covalent. Labeled probes can be prepared byincorporation of, or conjugation to, a detectable moiety. Labels can beattached directly to the nucleic acid sequence or indirectly (e.g.,through a linker). Linkers or spacer arms of various lengths are knownin the art and are commercially available, and can be selected to reducesteric hindrance, or to confer other useful or desired properties to theresulting labeled molecules (See, for example, Mansfield et al., Mol.Cell. Probes, 1995, 9: 145-156).

Methods for labeling oligonucleotides, such as probes, are well-known tothose skilled in the art. Reviews of labeling protocols and labeldetection techniques can be found, for example in, L. J. Kricka, Ann.Clin. Biochem., 2002, 39: 114-129; van Gijlswijk et al., Expert Rev.Mol. Diagn., 2001, 1: 81-91; and Joos et al., J. Biotechnol., 1994, 35:135-153. Standard nucleic acid labeling methods include: incorporationof radioactive agents, direct attachments of fluorescent dyes (See,Smith et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 1985, 13: 2399-2412) or of enzymes (See,Connoly et al., Nucl. Acids. Res., 1985, 13: 4485-4502); chemicalmodifications of nucleic acid molecules making them detectableimmunochemically or by other affinity reactions (See, Broker et al.,Nucl. Acids Res., 1978, 5: 363-384; Bayer et al., Methods of Biochem.Analysis, 1980, 26: 1-45; Langer et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA,1981, 78: 6633-6637; Richardson et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 1983, 11:6167-6184; Brigati et al., Virol., 1983, 126: 32-50; Tchen et al., Proc.Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 1984, 81: 3466-3470; Landegent et al., Exp. CellRes., 1984, 15: 61-72; and A. H. Hopman et al., Exp. Cell Res., 1987,169: 357-368); and enzyme-mediated labeling methods, such as randompriming, nick translation, PCR and tailing with terminal transferase(For a review on enzymatic labeling, see, for example, Temsamani et al.,Mol. Biotechnol., 1996, 5: 223-232).

Any of a wide variety of detectable labels can be used in the presentinvention. Suitable detectable labels include, but are not limited to,various ligands, radionuclides (e.g., ³²P, ³⁵S, ³H, ¹⁴C, ¹²⁵I, ¹³¹I, andthe like); fluorescent dyes; chemiluminescent agents (e.g., acridiniumesters, stabilized dioxetanes, and the like); spectrally resolvableinorganic fluorescent semiconductor nanocrystals (e.g., quantum dots),metal nanoparticles (e.g., gold, silver, copper and platinum) ornanoclusters; enzymes (e.g., horseradish peroxidase, beta-galactosidase,luciferase, alkaline phosphatase); colorimetric labels (e.g., dyes,colloidal gold, and the like); magnetic labels (e.g., Dynabeads™); andbiotin, dioxigenin or other haptens and proteins for antisera ormonoclonal antibodies are available.

In certain embodiments, the inventive detection probes are fluorescentlylabeled. Numerous known fluorescent labeling moieties of a wide varietyof chemical structures and physical characteristics are suitable for usein the practice of this invention. Suitable fluorescent dyes include,but are not limited to, Quasar® dyes available from BiosearchTechnologies, Novato, Calif.), fluorescein and fluorescein dyes (e.g.,fluorescein isothiocyanine or FITC, naphthofluorescein,4′,5′-dichloro-2′,7′-dimethoxy-fluorescein, 6-carboxyfluoresceins (e.g.,FAM), VIC, NED, carbocyanine, merocyanine, styryl dyes, oxonol dyes,phycoerythrin, erythrosin, eosin, rhodamine dyes (e.g.,carboxytetramethylrhodamine or TAMRA, carboxyrhodamine 6G,carboxy-X-rhodamine (ROX), lissamine rhodamine B, rhodamine 6G,rhodamine Green, rhodamine Red, tetramethylrhodamine or TMR), coumarinand coumarin dyes (e.g., methoxycoumarin, dialkylaminocoumarin,hydroxycoumarin and aminomethylcoumarin or AMCA), Oregon Green Dyes(e.g., Oregon Green 488, Oregon Green 500, Oregon Green 514), Texas Red,Texas Red-X, Spectrum Red™, Spectrum Green™, cyanine dyes (e.g., Cy-3™,Cy-5™, Cy-3.5™, Cy-5.5™), Alexa Fluor dyes (e.g., Alexa Fluor 350, AlexaFluor 488, Alexa Fluor 532, Alexa Fluor 546, Alexa Fluor 568, AlexaFluor 594, Alexa Fluor 633, Alexa Fluor 660 and Alexa Fluor 680), BODIPYdyes (e.g., BODIPY FL, BODIPY R6G, BODIPY TMR, BODIPY TR, BODIPY530/550, BODIPY 558/568, BODIPY 564/570, BODIPY 576/589, BODIPY 581/591,BODIPY 630/650, BODIPY 650/665), IRDyes (e.g., IRD40, IRD 700, IRD 800),and the like. Examples of other suitable fluorescent dyes that can beused and methods for linking or incorporating fluorescent dyes tooligonucleotides, such as probes, can be found in RP Haugland, “TheHandbook of Fluorescent Probes and Research Chemicals”, Publisher,Molecular Probes, Inc., Eugene, Oreg. (June 1992)). Fluorescent dyes aswell as labeling kits are commercially available from, for example,Amersham Biosciences, Inc. (Piscataway, N.J.), Molecular Probes Inc.(Eugene, Oreg.), and New England Biolabs Inc. (Beverly, Mass.).

Rather than being directly detectable themselves, some fluorescentgroups (donors) transfer energy to another fluorescent group (acceptor)in a process of fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET), and thesecond group produces the detectable fluorescent signal. In theseembodiments, the probe may, for example, become detectable whenhybridized to an amplified target sequence. Examples of FRETacceptor/donor pairs suitable for use in the present invention include,but are not limited to, fluorescein/tetramethylrhodamine, IAEDANS/FITC,IAEDANS/5-(iodoacetomido)fluorescein, B-phycoerythrin/Cy-5, andEDANS/Dabcyl.

The use of physically linked fluorescent reporter/quencher moleculepairs is also within the scope of the present invention. The use of suchsystems in TaqMan® assays (as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,210,015; 5,804,375; 5,487,792 and 6,214,979) or as Molecular Beacons(as described, for example in, Tyagi et al., Nature Biotechnol., 1996,14: 303-308; Tyagi et al., Nature Biotechnol., 1998, 16: 49-53;Kostrikis et al., Science, 1998, 279: 1228-1229; Sokol et al., Proc.Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 1998, 95: 11538-11543; Marras et al., Genet.Anal., 1999, 14: 151-156; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,846,726, 5,925,517,6,277,581 and 6,235,504) is well-known to those skilled in the art. Withthe TaqMan® assay format, products of the amplification reaction can bedetected as they are formed in a “real-time” manner. As a result,amplification product/probe hybrids are formed and detected while thereaction mixture is under amplification conditions.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the PCR detection probesare TaqMan®-like probes that are labeled at the 5′-end with afluorescent moiety and at the 3′-end with a quencher moiety. Suitablefluorophores and quenchers for use with TaqMan®-like probes aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,210,015; 5,804,375; 5,487,792; and6,214,979; and WO 01/86001, each of which are herein incorporated byreference. Examples of quenchers include, but are not limited, to DABCYL(e.g., 4-(4′-dimethylaminophenylazo)-benzoic acid) succinimidyl ester,diarylrhodamine carboxylic acid, succinimidyl ester (or QSY-7), and4′,5′-dinitrofluorescein carboxylic acid, succinimidyl ester (or QSY-33)(all of which are available from Molecular Probes (which is part ofInvitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.)), quencher1 (Q1; available from EpochBiosciences, Bothell, Wash.), or “Black hole quenchers” BHQ-1, BHQ-2,and BHQ-3 (available from BioSearch Technologies, Inc., Novato, Calif.).In certain embodiments, the PCR detection probes are TaqMan®-like probesthat are labeled at the 5′ end with FAM and at the 3′ end with a BlackHole Quencher® or Black Hole Quencher® plus (both commercially availablefrom Biosearch Technologies, Novato, Calif.).

A “tail” of normal or modified nucleotides can also be added to probesfor detectability purposes. A second hybridization with nucleic acidcomplementary to the tail and containing one or more detectable labels(such as, for example, fluorophores, enzymes or bases that have beenradioactively labeled) allows visualization of the amplicon/probehybrids.

The selection of a particular labeling technique will depend on thesituation and will be governed by several factors, such as the ease andcost of the labeling method, spectral spacing between differentdetectable labels used, the quality of sample labeling desired, theeffects of the detectable moiety on the hybridization reaction (e.g., onthe rate and/or efficiency of the hybridization process), the nature ofthe amplification method used, the nature of the detection system, thenature and intensity of the signal generated by the detectable label,and the like.

C. Amplification Methods

The use of primers or primer sets of the present invention to amplifyHPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 and 68target sequences and human beta globin target sequences in test samplesis not limited to any particular nucleic acid amplification technique orany particular modification thereof. In fact, the primers and primersets of the present invention can be employed in any of a variety ofnucleic acid amplification methods that are known in the art (See, forexample, Kimmel et al., Methods Enzymol., 1987, 152: 307-316; Sambrooket al., “Molecular Cloning. A Laboratory Manual”, 1989, 2. Supp. Ed.,Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory Press: New York, N.Y.; “Short Protocolsin Molecular Biology”, F. M. Ausubel (Ed.), 2002, 5. Supp. Ed., JohnWiley & Sons: Secaucus, N.J.).

Such nucleic acid amplification methods include, but are not limited to,the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). PCR is described in a number ofreferences, such as, but not limited to, “PCR Protocols: A Guide toMethods and Applications”, M. A. Innis (Ed.), 1990, Academic Press: NewYork; “PCR Strategies”, M. A. Innis (Ed.), 1995, Academic Press: NewYork; “Polymerase chain reaction: basic principles and automation inPCR. A Practical Approach”, McPherson et al. (Eds.), 1991, IRL Press:Oxford; Saiki et al., Nature, 1986, 324: 163; and U.S. Pat. Nos.4,683,195, 4,683,202 and 4,889,818, each of which is incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety. Variations of PCR including, TaqMan®-basedassays (See, Holland et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 1991, 88:7276-7280), and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (orRT-PCR, described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,322,770 and5,310,652, each of which is incorporated by reference) are alsoincluded.

Generally, in PCR, a pair of primers is added to a test sample obtainedfrom a subject (and thus contacted with the test sample) in excess tohybridize to the complementary strands of the target nucleic acid. Theprimers are each extended by a DNA polymerase using the target sequenceas a template. The extension products become targets themselves afterdissociation (denaturation) from the original target strand. New primersare then hybridized and extended by the polymerase, and the cycle isrepeated to exponentially increase the number of copies of amplicons.Examples of DNA polymerases capable of producing primer extensionproducts in PCR reactions include, but are not limited to, E. coli DNApolymerase I, Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I, T4 DNA polymerase,thermostable DNA polymerases isolated from Thermus aquaticus (Taq),available from a variety of sources (e.g., Perkin Elmer, Waltham,Mass.), Thermus thermophilus (USB Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio),Bacillus stereothermophilus (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, Calif.),AmpliTaq Gold® Enzyme (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.),recombinant Therms thermophilus (rTth) DNA polymerase (AppliedBiosystems, Foster City, Calif.) or Thermococcus litoralis (“Vent”polymerase, New England Biolabs, Ipswich, Mass.). RNA target sequencesmay be amplified by reverse transcribing (RT) the mRNA into cDNA, andthen performing PCR (RT-PCR), as described above. Alternatively, asingle enzyme may be used for both steps as described in U.S. Pat. No.5,322,770, which is herein incorporated by reference.

In addition to the enzymatic thermal amplification methods describedabove, isothermal enzymatic amplification reactions can be employed toamplify HPV or beta globin target sequences using primers and primersets of the present invention (Andras et al., Mol. Biotechnol., 2001,19: 29-44). These methods include, but are not limited to,Transcription-Mediated Amplification (TMA; TMA is described in Kwoh etal., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 1989, 86: 1173-1177; Giachetti et al.,J. Clin. Microbiol., 2002, 40: 2408-2419; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,491);Self-Sustained Sequence Replication (3SR; 3SR is described in Guatelliet al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 1990, 87: 1874-1848; and Fahy etal., PCR Methods and Applications, 1991, 1: 25-33); Nucleic AcidSequence Based Amplification (NASBA; NASBA is described in, Kievits etal., J. Virol. Methods, 1991, 35: 273-286; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,130,238)and Strand Displacement Amplification (SDA; SDA is described in Walkeret al., PNAS, 1992, 89: 392-396; EP 0 500 224 A2).

Strand-displacement amplification combines the ability of a restrictionendonuclease to nick the unmodified strand of its target DNA and theaction of an exonuclease-deficient DNA polymerase to extend the 3′ endat the nick and displace the downstream DNA strand at a fixedtemperature (See, Walker et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 1992).Primers used in SDA include a restriction endonuclease recognition atsite 5′ to the target binding sequence (See, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,270,184and 5,344,166, each of which is incorporated herein by reference).

Nucleic Acid Sequence Based Amplification (NASBA) uses three enzymes(e.g., RNase H, avian myeloblastosis virus (AMV) reverse transcriptaseand T7 RNA polymerase) working in concert at a low isothermaltemperature, generally 41° C. (See, Compton, Nature, 1991, 350: 91-92;Chan et al., Rev. Med. Microbiol., 1999, 10: 185-196). The product of aNASBA reaction is mainly single-stranded RNA.

The Self Sustaining Sequence Replication (3SR) reaction is a veryefficient method for isothermal amplification of target DNA or RNAsequences. A 3SR system involves the collective activities of AMVreverse transcriptase, E. coli RNase H, and DNA-dependent RNA polymerase(e.g., T7 RNA polymerase).

Transcription-Mediated Amplification (TMA) uses an RNA polymerase tomake RNA from a promoter engineered in the primer region, a reversetranscriptase to produce complementary DNA from the RNA templates andRNase H to remove the RNA from cDNA (See, Guatelli et al., Proc. Natl.Acad. Sci. USA, 1990).

NASBA, 3SR, and TMA primers require an RNA polymerase promoter linked tothe target binding sequence of the primer. Promoters or promotersequences for incorporation in the primers are nucleic acid sequences(either naturally occurring, produced synthetically or a product of arestriction digest) that are specifically recognized by an RNApolymerase that recognizes and binds to that sequence and initiates theprocess of transcription whereby RNA transcripts are generated. Examplesof useful promoters include those which are recognized by certainbacteriophage polymerases such as those from bacteriophage T3, T7 or SP6or a promoter from E. coli.

D. Detection Methods

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the probes describedherein are used to detect amplification products generated by theamplification reaction. The probes described herein can be employedusing a variety of well-known homogeneous or heterogeneousmethodologies.

Homogeneous detection methods include, but are not limited to, the useof FRET labels that are attached to the probes and that emit a signal inthe presence of the target sequence, Molecular Beacons (See, Tyagi etal., Nature Biotechnol., 1996, 14: 303-308; Tyagi et al., NatureBiotechnol., 1998, 16: 49-53; Kostrikis et al., Science, 1998, 279:1228-1229; Sokol et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 1998, 95:11538-11543; Marras et al., Genet. Anal., 1999, 14: 151-156; and U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,846,726, 5,925,517, 6,277,581 and 6,235,504), and theTaqMan® assays (See, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,210,015; 5,804,375; 5,487,792 and6,214,979 and WO 01/86001). Using these detection techniques, productsof the amplification reaction can be detected as they are formed,namely, in a real time manner. As a result, amplification product/probehybrids are formed and detected while the reaction mixture is underamplification conditions.

In certain embodiments, the probes of the present invention are used ina TaqMan® assay. In a TaqMan® assay, analysis is performed inconjunction with thermal cycling by monitoring the generation offluorescence signals. The assay system has the capability of generatingquantitative data allowing the determination of target copy numbers. Forexample, standard curves can be generated using serial dilutions ofpreviously quantified suspensions of one or more HPV types or human betaglobin sequences, against which unknown samples can be compared. TheTaqMan® assay is conveniently performed using, for example, AmpliTaqGold™ DNA polymerase, which has endogenous 5′ nuclease activity, todigest a probe labeled with both a fluorescent reporter dye and aquencher moiety, as described above. Assay results are obtained bymeasuring changes in fluorescence that occur during the amplificationcycle as the probe is digested, uncoupling the fluorescent and quenchermoieties and causing an increase in the fluorescence signal that isproportional to the amplification of the target sequence.

Other examples of homogeneous detection methods include hybridizationprotection assays (HPA). In such assays, the probes are labeled withacridinium ester (AE), a highly chemiluminescent molecule (See, Weeks etal., Clin. Chem., 1983, 29: 1474-1479; Berry et al., Clin. Chem., 1988,34: 2087-2090), using a non-nucleotide-based linker arm chemistry (See,U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,585,481 and 5,185,439). Chemiluminescence is triggeredby AE hydrolysis with alkaline hydrogen peroxide, which yields anexcited N-methyl acridone that subsequently deactivates with emission ofa photon. In the absence of a target sequence, AE hydrolysis is rapid.However, the rate of AE hydrolysis is greatly reduced when the probe isbound to the target sequence. Thus, hybridized and un-hybridizedAE-labeled probes can be detected directly in solution without the needfor physical separation.

Heterogeneous detection systems are also well-known in the art andgenerally employ a capture agent to separate amplified sequences fromother materials in the reaction mixture. Capture agents typicallycomprise a solid support material (e.g., microtiter wells, beads, chips,and the like) coated with one or more specific binding sequences. Abinding sequence may be complementary to a tail sequence added tooligonucleotide probes of the invention. Alternatively, a bindingsequence may be complementary to a sequence of a captureoligonucleotide, itself comprising a sequence complementary to a tailsequence of a probe. After separation of the amplification product/probehybrids bound to the capture agents from the remaining reaction mixture,the amplification product/probe hybrids can be detected using anydetection methods, such as those described herein.

E. Detecting HPV and Human Beta Globin in Test Samples

In another embodiment, the present invention provides methods for: (a)detecting the presence of HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52,56, 58, 59, 66 and 68 in a test sample; (b) detecting human beta globinsequences in a test sample; and (c) detecting the presence of HPV types16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 and 68 and human betaglobin sequences in a test sample.

Typically, methods of the invention first involve obtaining a testsample from a subject. A subject from which a test sample can beobtained is any mammal. Preferably, the mammal includes, but are notlimited to, dogs, cats, rabbits, mice, rats, goats, sheep, cows, pigs,horses, non-human primates and humans. The test sample can be obtainedfrom the subject using routine techniques known to those skilled in theart. Preferably, the test sample contains or is suspected of containing:(i) at least one of HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56,58, 59, 66 and 68 and/or (ii) at least one human beta globin sequence.

After the test sample is obtained from a subject, the test sample iscontacted with primers (and optionally one or more probes) from at leastone of the primer sets or primer and probe sets disclosed herein to forma reaction mixture. The reaction mixture is then placed underamplification conditions. The primers hybridize to any HPV nucleic acidand any human beta globin nucleic acid in the test sample. The HPV orhuman beta globin nucleic acid present in the sample is amplified and atleast one amplification product (namely, at least one target sequence)is generated.

At least one amplification product is detected by detecting thehybridization between at least one amplification product and at leastone of the probes of the present invention (such as one or more probesfrom the primer and probe sets described herein). Specifically,detection of at least one amplification product with one or more of theprobes having a sequence of SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ IDNO:16, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:20 and SEQ IDNO:21 or a complement thereof indicates the presence of at least one ofHPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 and 68 inthe test sample. Detection of hybridization of the amplification productand the probe having a sequence of SEQ ID NO:22 or a complement thereofindicates the presence of a human beta globin sequence in the testsample. Preferably, the methods of the present invention involvedetecting at least one of HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52,56, 58, 59, 66 and 68 and a human beta globin sequence (added as acontrol) in the test sample. Most preferably, the detection of least oneHPV type and the human beta globin sequence are done simultaneously.

Additionally, the methods of the present invention may also be used topartially genotype (e.g., differentiate) the HPV type present anddetected in a test sample. For example, each of the probes used in themethods described herein can be labeled with a different detectablelabel that emits a different color of light in order to facilitate theidentification of different HPV types present in a test sample.Preferably, however, for use in the methods of the present invention, aprobe having a sequence of SEQ ID NO:8 is labeled with a firstdetectable label that emits a unique color (e.g., red) and a probehaving a sequence of SEQ ID NO:9 is labeled a second detectable labelthat is different from the first detectable label and that also emits aunique color (e.g., green). If one or more of the probes having thesequence of SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ IDNO:19, SEQ ID NO:20 and SEQ ID NO:21 or a complement thereof are also tobe used in the method along with SEQ ID NOS: 8 and 9, each of theseprobes could be labeled with the same detectable label (namely, eachwould be labeled with a third detectable label emitting a third uniquecolor (e.g., yellow)). Thus, employing different types of labels withthe different HPV probes described herein (See, Table B) allows not onlydetecting the presence of HPV in a test sample but also specificallyidentifying the specific types present in the sample. The detectionand/or differentiation of HPV types 16 and 18 (such as by using probeshaving a sequence of SEQ ID NO:8 and SEQ ID NO:9) in a test sample isuseful and important because these two types of HPV cause at least 70%of the cervical cancers.

F. Kits

In another embodiment, the present invention provides kits comprisingmaterials and reagents useful for the detection of HPV types 16, 18, 31,33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 and 68 and human beta globinsequences according to methods described herein. The kits can be used bydiagnostic laboratories, experimental laboratories, or practitioners. Incertain embodiments, the kits comprise at least one of the primer setsor primer and probe sets described in Section B herein and optionally,amplification reagents. Each kit preferably comprises amplificationreagents for a specific amplification method. Thus, a kit adapted foruse with NASBA preferably contains primers with a RNA polymerasepromoter linked to the target binding sequence, while a kit adapted foruse with SDA preferably contains primers including a restrictionendonuclease recognition site 5′ to the target binding sequence.Similarly, when the kit is adapted for use in a 5′ nuclease assay, suchas the TaqMan® assay, the probes of the present invention can contain atleast one fluorescent reporter moiety and at least one quencher moiety.

Suitable amplification reagents additionally include, for example, oneor more of: buffers, reagents, enzymes having reverse transcriptaseand/or polymerase activity or exonuclease activity, enzyme cofactorssuch as magnesium or manganese; salts; deoxynucleotide triphosphates(dNTPs) suitable for carrying out the amplification reaction. Forexample, a kit, adapted for use with NASBA, may contain suitable amountsof reverse transcriptase, RNase H and T7 RNA polymerase. In kits adaptedfor transcription amplification reactions, such as NASBA, buffers can beincluded that contain, for example, DMSO, which is known to enhance theamplification reaction.

Depending on the procedure, kits may further comprise one or more of:wash buffers, hybridization buffers, labeling buffers, detection meansand other reagents. The buffers and/or reagents are preferably optimizedfor the particular amplification/detection technique for which the kitis intended. Protocols for using these buffers and reagents forperforming different steps of the procedure may also be included in thekit.

Furthermore, kits may be provided with an internal control as a check onthe amplification efficiency, to prevent occurrence of false negativetest results due to failures in the amplification, to check on celladequacy, sample extraction, etc. An optimal internal control sequenceis selected in such a way that it will not compete with the targetnucleic acid sequence in the amplification reaction. Preferably, theinternal control comprises the beta globin primers (namely, at least oneof SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, a complement of SEQ ID NO:6 or a complementof SEQ ID NO:7) and probe (namely, SEQ ID NO:22 or a complement of SEQID NO:22) described previously herein in Section B.

Kits may also contain reagents for the isolation of nucleic acids fromtest samples prior to amplification before nucleic acid extraction.

The reagents may be supplied in a solid (e.g., lyophilized) or liquidform. Kits of the present invention may optionally comprise differentcontainers (e.g., vial, ampoule, test tube, flask or bottle) for eachindividual buffer and/or reagent. Each component will generally besuitable as aliquoted in its respective container or provided in aconcentrated form. Other containers suitable for conducting certainsteps of the amplification/detection assay may also be provided. Theindividual containers are preferably maintained in close confinement forcommercial sale.

Kits may also comprise instructions for using the amplification reagentsand primer sets or primer and probe described herein: for processing thetest sample, extracting nucleic acid molecules, and/or performing thetest; and for interpreting the results obtained as well as a notice inthe form prescribed by a governmental agency. Such instructionsoptionally can be in printed form or on CD, DVD, or other format ofrecorded media.

By way of example, and not of limitation, examples of the presentdisclosures shall now be given.

Example 1: Materials and Methods

A. Design of HPV and Beta Globin Primers and Probes

All oligonucleotides used in Examples 2-6 were synthesized usingstandard oligonucleotide synthesis methodology known to those skilled inthe art. All of the probes are single-stranded oligonucleotides labeledusing routine techniques known in the art, with a fluorophore at the 5′end and a quenching moiety at the 3′ end. The 5′ label is VIC (thisgreen label dye was used to label the probe specific for HPV 16 (namely,SEQ ID NO:8; See Table B in Section B)), NED (this yellow label was usedto label the probe specific for HPV 18 (namely, SEQ ID NO:9; See Table Bin Section B)), FAM (this blue label dye was used to label probesspecific HPV 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 or 68 (e.g., SEQID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ IDNO:15, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ IDNO:20 and SEQ ID NO:21; See Table B in Section B)), or Quasar (for humanbeta globin; SEQ ID NO:22). The 3′ label is Black Hole Quencher (BHQ),such as BHQ1-dT (used to label the probes specific for HPV 16, 31, 33,35, 45, 51, 56, 59, 66 or 68; See Table B in Section B), BHQ2-dT (usedto label the probe specific for HPV18; see Table B in Section B), humanbeta globin (SEQ ID NO:22)) or BHQ1 plus (used to label the probespecific for HPV 39, 52 or 58; See Table B in Section B).

B. Real-Time PCR

HPV DNA was extracted, concentrated and purified from samples usingmagnetic micro-particle technology that captures nucleic acids andwashes the particles to remove unbound sample components (See, forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,809). The bound nucleic acids were elutedand ready for amplification. A HPV primer mix of 3 forward primers(namely, SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:3; See Table A inSection B) and 2 reverse primers (namely, SEQ ID NO:4 and SEQ ID NO:5;See Table A in Section B) targeting a conserved L1 region was used toamplify HPV targets. The 3 forward primers (SEQ ID NOS:1-3) and 2reverse primers (SEQ ID NOS. 4-5) are collectively referred to herein asthe “HPV Primer Mix”. Signal for fourteen (14) human (HR) HPV genotypes(HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, and 68) wasgenerated with genotype specific probes (namely, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ IDNO:9, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ IDNO:14, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ IDNO:19, SEQ ID NO:20 and SEQ ID NO:21; See, Table B in Section B). Allfourteen of these probes are collectively referred to herein as “HPVProbe Set”). Human beta globin target was amplified with a primer set(SEQ ID NOS:6 and 7) targeting an endogenous human beta globin sequenceand detected with the beta globin probe (SEQ ID NO:22). Besides theprimers and probes, the PCR reaction consisted of: 14 Units AmpliTaqGold enzyme, 7 mM magnesium chloride (as activation reagent) and otheramplification reagents (containing 0.6 mM dNTPs, 73.5 nM ROX referencedye in Tris.buffer).

Real-time amplification/detection was carried out on an Abbott m2000rtinstrument (Abbott Molecular Inc., Des Plaines, Ill.) using thefollowing cycling conditions: 1 cycle at 92° C. 10 minutes; 4 cycles at91° C. 30 seconds and 54° C. 30 seconds; 38 cycles at 91° C. 30 seconds,52° C. 30 seconds (with 1 seconds per cycle auto-extension) and 50° C.40 seconds. Fluorescence measurements were recorded during the read step(50° C.) of the 38 cycles.

Example 2: Genotype Inclusivity and Partial Genotyping

In this Example, fifty-one (51) samples containing HPV DNA targets fromeach of the 14 genotypes were, individually and in combination, testedusing the HPV Primer Mix and HPV Probe Set of Example 1. Real Time PCRwas performed as described in Example 1. Each HPV DNA target was testedat a concentration of 400,000 copies per reaction. As shown below inTable 1, results from the 51 samples included 14 samples with a singlegenotype, 25 samples with two genotypes and 12 samples with threegenotypes. As also shown in Table 1, these results were reportedaccurately and the presence or absence of HPV 16 and HPV 18 DNA wasaccurately determined in each case. This example demonstrates thecapability of the unique HPV Primer Mix and HPV Probe Set to detect 14HR HPV genotypes (HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59,66, and 68) and to distinguish HPV 16 and HPV 18 from the other 12 HRHPV genotypes.

TABLE 1 Sample No. HPV Genotype Result 1 16 HPV 16 2 18 HPV 18 3 31Other HR HPV 4 33 Other HR HPV 5 35 Other HR HPV 6 39 Other HR HPV 7 45Other HR HPV 8 51 Other HR HPV 9 52 Other HR HPV 10 56 Other HR HPV 1158 Other HR HPV 12 59 Other HR HPV 13 66 Other HR HPV 14 68 Other HR HPV15 16 + 18 HPV 16; HPV 18 16 16 + 31 HPV 16; Other HR HPV 17 16 + 33 HPV16; Other HR HPV 18 16 + 35 HPV 16; Other HR HPV 19 16 + 39 HPV 16;Other HR HPV 20 16 + 45 HPV 16; Other HR HPV 21 16 + 51 HPV 16; Other HRHPV 22 16 + 52 HPV 16; Other HR HPV 23 16 + 56 HPV 16; Other HR HPV 2416 + 58 HPV 16; Other HR HPV 25 16 + 59 HPV 16; Other HR HPV 26 16 + 66HPV 16; Other HR HPV 27 16 + 68 HPV 16; Other HR HPV 28 18 + 31 HPV 18;Other HR HPV 29 18 + 33 HPV 18; Other HR HPV 30 18 + 35 HPV 18; Other HRHPV 31 18 + 39 HPV 18; Other HR HPV 32 18 + 45 HPV 18; Other HR HPV 3318 + 51 HPV 18; Other HR HPV 34 18 + 52 HPV 18; Other HR HPV 35 18 + 56HPV 18; Other HR HPV 36 18 + 58 HPV 18; Other HR HPV 37 18 + 59 HPV 18;Other HR HPV 38 18 + 66 HPV 18; Other HR HPV 39 18 + 68 HPV 18; Other HRHPV 40 16 + 18 + 31 HPV 16; HPV 18; Other HR HPV 41 16 + 18 + 33 HPV 16;HPV 18; Other HR HPV 42 16 + 18 + 35 HPV 16; HPV 18; Other HR HPV 4316 + 18 + 39 HPV 16; HPV 18; Other HR HPV 44 16 + 18 + 45 HPV 16; HPV18; Other HR HPV 45 16 + 18 + 51 HPV 16; HPV 18; Other HR HPV 46 16 +18 + 52 HPV 16; HPV 18; Other HR HPV 47 16 + 18 + 56 HPV 16; HPV 18;Other HR HPV 48 16 + 18 + 58 HPV 16; HPV 18; Other HR HPV 49 16 + 18 +59 HPV 16; HPV 18; Other HR HPV 50 16 + 18 + 66 HPV 16; HPV 18; Other HRHPV 51 16 + 18 + 68 HPV 16; HPV 18; Other HR HPV

Example 3: Probe Hybridization Specificity

Two studies were used to demonstrate the hybridization specificity ofthe HPV Probe Set described in Example 1. Real-time PCR was performed asdescribed in Example 1 with single HR HPV probes (See Table 2) or acocktail containing all 14 HR HPV probes (See Table 3), in the presenceof individual HPV plasmid DNA targets at a concentration ofapproximately 10,000,000 copies per reaction. The results of the twostudies shown in Tables 2 and 3 demonstrate the specificity of theselected HPV probes.

TABLE 2 Target Probe 16 18 31 33 35 39 45 51 52 56 58 59 66 68  HR¹ 16(SEQ ID + − − − − − − − − − − − − − NO: 8) HR 18 (SEQ ID − + − − − − − −− − − − − − NO: 9) HR 31 (SEQ ID − − + − − − − − − − − − − − NO: 10) HR33 (SEQ ID − − − + − − − − − − − − − − NO: 11) HR 35 (SEQ ID − − − − + −− − − − − − − − NO: 12) HR 39 (SEQ ID − − − − − + − − − − − − − − NO:13) HR 45 (SEQ ID − − − − − − + − − − − − − − NO: 14) HR 51 (SEQ ID − −− − − − − + − − − − − − NO: 15) HR 52 (SEQ ID − − − − − − − − + − − − −− NO: 16) HR 56 (SEQ ID − − − − − − − − − + − − − − NO: 17) HR 58 (SEQID − − − − − − − − − − + − − − NO: 18) HR 59 (SEQ ID − − − − − − − − − −− + − − NO: 19) HR 66 (SEQ ID − − − − − − − − − − − − + − NO: 20) HR 68(SEQ ID − − − − − − − − − − − − − + NO: 21)  LR²  6 − − − − − − − − − −− − − − LR 11 − − − − − − − − − − − − − − LR 42 − − − − − − − − − − − −− − LR 43 − − − − − − − − − − − − − − LR 44 − − − − − − − − − − − − − −Note: “+” designates HR HPV Detected; “−” designates Not Detected. ¹HighRisk (HR) ²Low Risk (LR)

TABLE 3 Target Result LR 6 Not Detected LR 11 Not Detected LR 13 NotDetected LR 26 Not Detected LR 30 Not Detected LR 32 Not Detected LR 40Not Detected LR 42 Not Detected LR 43 Not Detected LR 44 Not Detected LR53 Not Detected LR 54 Not Detected LR 55 Not Detected LR 57 Not DetectedLR 61 Not Detected

Example 4: Detection of Beta Globin as Cell Adequacy Control

In order for human beta globin to serve as a cell adequacy control, thebeta globin signal, as in cycle number (CN) obtained from analysis of areal-time PCR result, should be indicative of the amount of cell inputfrom clinical specimens.

A study was performed to evaluate the correlation between the amount ofcells input from a cultured HPV positive cell line and beta globinsignal. The correlation between the beta globin signal and amount ofcells input is shown in FIG. 1. The study demonstrates that increase inthe concentration of cells input correlates with higher beta globindetection efficiency as shown by earlier CN.

Additionally, a separate study was conducted to evaluate the beta globinCN distribution in clinical samples. A population of 1206 patientcervical specimens collected in PreservCyt® Solution (Cytyc Corporation,Marlborough, Mass.) was analyzed and shown in FIG. 2. The 25%, 50% and75% quantile of the population has beta globin CN of 21.29, 22.41 and23.78 respectively, with a minimum CN of 17.47 and a maximum CN of36.01. This study demonstrates how beta globin can serve as a celladequacy control.

The human beta globin primers and probe as described in Example 1 wereemployed in Real Time PCR to generate the results shown in FIGS. 1 and2.

Example 5: Analytical Performance of the Primer and Probe Designs

This example describes the results of two studies. The first studydemonstrated the improved analytical performance of the HPV Primer Mixof Example 1 when compared to the commonly used consensus GP5+/GP6+primers (GP5+ primer: 5′-TTTGTTACTGTGGTAGATACTAC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:23). GP6+primer: 5′-GAAAAATAAACTGTAAATCATATTC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:24)). This study wasconducted using Real Time PCR as described in Example 1. The performancebetween the unique HPV Primer Mix of the present invention and theconsensus GP5+/GP6+ primers was evaluated using CN values. The resultsare shown in Table 4 and FIGS. 3A-3D. Improvement in performance (CNimprovement value >1) was observed for 10/13 HPV genotypes (Table 4).Major improvement was observed for HPV genotypes 39, 51, 52 and 68 (CNimprovement value >10) and is shown in FIGS. 3A-3D.

TABLE 4 GP5+/6+ CN Improvement HPV SEQ ID Primers (SEQ of ClaimedGenotype NOS: 1-5 ID NOS: 23-24) Sequences 16 14.67 14.62 −0.1 18 11.8411.80 0.0 31 14.45 22.05 7.6 33 15.58 15.03 −0.6 35 11.92 13.36 1.4 3915.14 28.44 13.3 45 12.74 15.32 2.6 51 11.47 26.37 14.9 52 13.89 32.2518.4 56 14.95 19.44 4.5 58 16.86 18.30 1.4 59 11.55 18.26 6.7 68 13.2928.41 15.1 * Positive values indicate higher amplification efficiency inreal-time PCR for the claimed sequences.

The second study examined the analytical performance of several of theunique probes of the present invention specific for HPV types 16, 18,31, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 58 and 59 (SEQ ID NOS: 8-10, 12-16 and 18-19)compared to the probe sequences for the same HPV types disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 6,265,154 B1 (See Table 5). The probes of U.S. Pat. No.6,265,154 were labeled as described in Example 1 in order to allow adirect comparison when tested in Real-Time PCR. The performance wasevaluated using CN values and fluorescence signals. The results areshown in Table 6, Table 7 and FIGS. 4A-4E. Improvement in performances(CN improvement value >1 and fluorescence signal >0.1) was observed for5/10 HPV genotypes (Table 6 and Table 7). The significant improvement inCN and fluorescence signals was observed for HPV genotypes 16, 18, 31,52 and 59 and is shown in FIGS. 4A-4E.

TABLE 5 SEQ ID NO. from U.S. Pat. No. 6,265,154 HPV Specificity 4 16 718 10 31 16 35 19 39 22 45 25 51 28 52 34 58/33 37 59

TABLE 6 CN Improve- HPV ment of Geno- Sequences of the Sequence in U.S.Claimed type present invention Pat. No. 6,265,154 Sequence* 16 14.59(SEQ ID NO: 8)  17.59 (SEQ ID NO: 4)  3.0 18 11.84 (SEQ ID NO: 9)  16.88(SEQ ID NO: 7)  5.0 31 14.45 (SEQ ID NO: 10) 16.79 (SEQ ID NO: 10) 2.335 11.92 (SEQ ID NO: 12) 11.99 (SEQ ID NO: 16) 0.1 39 15.14 (SEQ ID NO:13) 15.57 (SEQ ID NO: 19) 0.4 45 12.74 (SEQ ID NO: 14) 13.36 (SEQ ID NO:22) 0.6 51 11.47 (SEQ ID NO: 15) 10.71 (SEQ ID NO: 25) −0.8 52 13.89(SEQ ID NO: 16) 14.99 (SEQ ID NO: 28) 1.1 58 16.86 (SEQ ID NO: 18) 16.25(SEQ ID NO: 34) −0.6 59 11.55 (SEQ ID NO: 19) 18.69 (SEQ ID NO: 37) 7.1*Positive values indicate higher detection efficiency in real-time PCRof the claimed sequences.

TABLE 7 Fluores- cence Signal Improve- HPV ment of Geno- Sequences ofthe Sequence in U.S. Claimed type present invention Pat. No. 6,265,154Sequence 16 0.153 (SEQ ID NO: 8)  0.028 (SEQ ID NO: 4)  0.125 18 0.265(SEQ ID NO: 9)  0.062 (SEQ ID NO: 7)  0.203 31 0.235 (SEQ ID NO: 10)0.051 (SEQ ID NO: 10) 0.184 35 0.220 (SEQ ID NO: 12) 0.280 (SEQ ID NO:16) −0.060 39 0.301 (SEQ ID NO: 13) 0.522 (SEQ ID NO: 19) −0.221 450.234 (SEQ ID NO: 14) 0.279 (SEQ ID NO: 22) −0.045 51 0.317 (SEQ ID NO:15) 0.295 (SEQ ID NO: 25) 0.022 52 0.316 (SEQ ID NO: 16) 0.103 (SEQ IDNO: 28) 0.213 58 0.365 (SEQ ID NO: 18) 0.469 (SEQ ID NO: 34) −0.104 590.204 (SEQ ID NO: 19) 0.088 (SEQ ID NO: 37) 0.116

Example 6: Clinical Performance of the Primer and Probes of the PresentInvention

The sensitivity and specificity of an assay using the HPV Primer Mix andHPV Probe Set as described in Example 1 for detection of HR HPV wereevaluated by testing 441 patient cervical specimens collected inPreservCyt® Solution (Cytyc Corporation, Marlborough, Mass.). The highrisk HPV status of cervical specimens was determined by the concordancebetween the Abbott RealTime HR HPV assay (Abbott Laboratories, AbbottPark, Ill.) and hc2 High-Risk HPV DNA Test (“HC2”) (commerciallyavailable from Qiagen, Inc., Valencia, Calif.) tests and by furtheranalysis of specimens with discordant results using the LINEAR ARRAY HPVGenotyping Test (commercially available from Roche Diagnostics, Basel,CH; “Linear Array”). All three of these assays or tests were conductedpursuant to the manufacturer's instructions. A total of 227 specimenswere detected by both assays and 179 were not detected by either assay.The results of 35 discordant specimens were resolved by Linear Array. Ofthe 238 positive specimens, 231 were detected by the Abbott RealTime HRHPV assay and 234 were detected by HC2. Of the 203 resolved negativespecimens, 203 were not detected by the Abbott RealTime HR HPV assay and179 were not detected by HC2. As shown below in Table 8, the sensitivityof the Abbott RealTime HR HPV assay for detection of HR HPV was 97% andof HC2 assay was 98%. The specificity of the Abbott RealTime HR HPVassay was 100% and of HC2 assay was 88%.

TABLE 8 Test Sensitivity Specificity Abbott RealTime HR HPV 97% 100% HC298%  88%

One skilled in the art would readily appreciate that the presentinvention is well adapted to carry out the objects and obtain the endsand advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. Themolecular complexes and the methods, procedures, treatments, molecules,specific compounds described herein are presently representative ofpreferred embodiments, are exemplary, and are not intended aslimitations on the scope of the invention. It will be readily apparentto one skilled in the art that varying substitutions and modificationsmay be made to the invention disclosed herein without departing from thescope and spirit of the invention.

All patents and publications mentioned in the specification areindicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which theinvention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporatedby reference to the same extent as if each individual publication wasspecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

The invention illustratively described herein suitably may be practicedin the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitationswhich is not specifically disclosed herein. The terms and expressionswhich have been employed are used as terms of description and not oflimitation and there is no intention in the use of such terms andexpressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown anddescribed or portions thereof. It is recognized that variousmodifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.Thus, it should be understood that although the present invention hasbeen specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments. Optional features,modifications and variations of the concepts herein disclosed may beresorted to by those skilled in the art and such modifications andvariations are considered to be within the scope of this invention asdefined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A primer and probe kit for detecting human betaglobin in a test sample, wherein said kit comprises: (a) a forwardprimer consisting of SEQ ID NO:6 or the complement thereof; (b) areverse primer consisting of SEQ ID NO:7 or the complement thereof; (c)a probe consisting of SEQ ID NO:22 or the complement thereof and atleast one fluorescent reporter moiety; (d) three forward primers eachconsisting of a sequence selected from SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ IDNO:3, and the complements thereof and two reverse primers eachconsisting of a sequence selected from SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:5, and thecomplements thereof, and (e) fourteen probes, wherein each probeconsists of a sequence selected from SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ IDNO:10, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ IDNO:15, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ IDNO:20, SEQ ID NO:21, and the complements thereof.
 2. A method fordetecting human beta globin in a test sample, the method comprising thesteps of: contacting the test sample with the primers from the primerand probe kit of claim 1 under amplification conditions to generate afirst target sequence; and detecting hybridization between the firsttarget sequence and the probe from the primer and probe kit of claim 1as an indication of the presence of a human beta globin in the testsample.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the probe is labeled with adetectable label.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the detectable labelcomprises a fluorescent moiety attached at the 5′ end of the probe. 5.The method of claim 4, wherein the probe further comprises a quenchermoiety attached at its 3′ end.